Make the best of family vacations

Summer has been my favorite season since I was a child. Maybe it was because my father, a school teacher and administrator, didn’t have to work every day. Or maybe because my brother and I didn’t have to go to school. But most likely it was because I would be looking forward to our family vacation around my mid-August birthday.

As a father, I feel fortunate that my wife and I have been able to take an annual summer family vacation, which was easier when the kids were younger. In today’s society, with many families with two working parents, single-parent families, year-round travel sports teams and all sorts of personal media devices, family vacations are a great way to take some time to reconnect with family. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or go far away to create family memories that will last a lifetime. One of our favorite places is the Pine Creek Rail Trail near Wellsboro.

ACTION IDEAS:

▪ Involve your children in the vacation planning process. Don’t be afraid to try a new activity or different location that your child may suggest. Some of our favorite traditions are newer ones suggested by our children.

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▪ Try to establish some family vacation traditions — getting away the same time of year, such as spring break, Christmas break or summer, or going to the same place.

▪ Consider establishing a “no personal electronic device” time period for everyone (include parents) so your family can reconnect with each other.

The local fathering effort, in cooperation with the National Center for Fathering, provides monthly Action Ideas to stimulate conversation between fathers and parents. To comment on this article, or for more information or to join local conversations, contact Doug Loviscky at doug@lovisckylaw.com, or Marc McCann at marc.mccann88@gmail.com.

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